Geologic Journey II SeriesThe Collision Zone: AsiaExamines the collision zone in Asia--from Indonesia's volcanoes at one end to the Himalayas at the other--which is in the process of forming the earth's next supercontinent.

50 minutes
Closed Captioned

Directed by Andrew Gregg
Written by Andrew GreggSeries Executive Producers: Michael Allder and Gordon HendersonDirector of Photography: Ed MiddletonEditor: Geoff MathesonSound Recordist: Sanjay MehtaOriginal Music: Ken MyhrProduced by 90th Parallel Productions Ltd in association with The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and National Geographic Channel for CBC's "The Nature of Things"

"Nicely connects the evolution of the geology over many millions of years to the here and now of natural hazards and the environment." Dr. Roland Burgmann, Chair, Dept of Earth and Planetary Science, UC-Berkeley

Welcome to the Collision Zone -- the fiery unpredictability of Indonesia's volcanoes at one end, the massive Himalayas at the other and millions of years of tectonic tension in between.

The collision zone of the old world is about to be the hub of the new. India, the Himalayas and the island arc of Indonesia will form the centre of the world's next supercontinent.

As the story unfolds we discover a tale of where the Earth has been and what the Earth shall be: a whole new world that we'll barely recognize.

The other titles in the series are:

Tectonic Europe - Examines the Earth's surface under pressure, from Iceland to the Alps, landscapes that inspired scientists to invent the study of geology.

Along The African Rift - Examines the East African Rift, Ethiopia's Afar Triangle, the Nile Valley and the Dead Sea Rift, places where the Earth's crust is ripping apart as molten rock pushes upwards.

The Pacific Rim: Americas - From the glaciers of Alaska to the Andes of Chile, the relentless subterranean forces that formed the eastern Pacific Rim have convulsed our cities and overshadow our future.

The Western Pacific Rim - Examines the western Pacific Rim, home to 50% of the world's active volcanoes, and 90% of its earthquakes.

Reviews"Watching [The Collision Zone: Asia] is like going on a field trip with a group of experts to the Himalaya and other areas, but doing so in less than an hour, rather than the weeks it would take to do so in person. The film nicely connects the evolution of the geology over many millions of years to the here and now of natural hazards and the environment. The emphasis on the relationship between the geology and people living there makes this a more special journey."

Dr. Roland Burgmann, Chair and Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California-Berkeley

"The photography is breathtaking and the science content is accurate...get ready to be amazed."

Coralee Smith, NSTA Recommends

"The science is excellent and current, the storyline is engaging, and the cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. Although I have taught this material for years, there was information in the video new to me and archive footage that I had never seen before. [Along the African Rift] vividly illustrates the dramatic processes of continental rifting and the birth of new oceans...[The Pacific Rim: Americas] explores in spectacular fashion the destructive forces of plate tectonics."

"The Western Pacific Rim and The Pacific Rim: Americas are excellent for civics and history classes. Throughout history, individuals and society have lived with natural hazards to garner natural resources. The modern construct of plate tectonics rationally explains the occurrence of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes on the Pacific Rim along with mineral and agricultural bounty, access to the ocean, and picturesque scenery. The interviews in the series clearly illustrate how informed people address this trade-off. Both titles in the series can spark excellent discussion about the hazards and benefits of living along active plate boundaries."

"Blends the latest geologic findings with captivating cinematography, bringing the viewer on a worldwide tour of the tectonic forces that mold the surface of our planet...A heart-stopping adventure especially ideal for classroom viewing, or high school and public library DVD collections. Highly recommended."

"Exceptional...What makes this series especially compelling and of interdisciplinary interests are the discussions of the local cultures and mythologies that have developed based on historic and recent geologic activities, along with the adaptations the local peoples have made to changes in their environment. This stunning series is a valuable addition to any college, high school or public library."